October 2008 Yoga Teacher Training Newsletter

Why Do You Want to Become a Yoga Teacher – Seminars

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Why Do You Want to Become a Yoga Teacher – SeminarsFor some of us, that question could easily be re-phrased as, “Why did I want to teach Yoga classes?” Whether you are thinking about teaching Yoga in the future, or have been for the past ten years, it is good to review where you have been, where you are, where you are going, and why you are on the journey.

This past week, I was talking to a few veteran Yoga teachers who were looking for fresh ideas to “spice up” their classes, explain benefits to the public, and reinforce the value of safety in their classes. The need to “spice up” classes comes from the perception that our lesson plans have become stale.

There is nothing wrong with making changes, but you should be sure that your students feel the same need. After all, our classes are structured for the needs of our students. If we feel bored as teachers, that’s not a true measurement of how our students feel.

The need for change could be that we have neglected our own personal practice and have begun to intrude on our student’s classes with our personal needs for change. Before you make changes in your classes, it is best to get feedback from those attend them.

If you have students who you have known for years, an open survey, with a show of hands, is a good measurement. However, if your class is relatively new, and you are not as familiar with their needs, a written survey will help you determine the direction your class should go in.

Sometimes, surveys give us feedback about the need for new classes and workshops. One Yoga instructor mentioned that her students will raise their hands for anything new, but few of them show up for special workshops.

She plans a weekend around 20 students and two of them show up, so what’s the solution? Commitment with an advanced payment, or a 50% non-refundable deposit, is a true measurement of how many students will show up for a new class, seminar, or workshop.

A non-refundable deposit is an assurance that a student is serious and has the intention to pay the balance on the day a new class, seminar, or workshop, starts. Some Yoga teachers feel this is too much for their student to bear.

Consider this: If you pay out of pocket expenses for materials, guest teachers, new instructors, or specialized training for yourself, based upon a show of hands and good faith, your students should not object to making a commitment. It is a wonderful thing to give to others, but you should not feel wrong when you ask your students to hold up their end of an honorable agreement.

Fasting – The Yogic Way

By Dr Rita Khanna

What Is Fasting

Fasting is complete abstinence from food. It has been practiced through the ages as a means of cleansing and purifying the body & mind. Most religions recommend it as a means of strengthening prayer. Overeating or eating rich high-protein food regularly strains your system. Fasting eases that strain as blood in our body solely does the task of destroying germs & other poisonous wastes. We all know that when animals or even birds fall sick, their first and foremost step is giving up eating until they show signs of recovery which shows that fasting itself is healing. Fasting at times does wonders in curing even chronic diseases. All the digestive organs, i.e., the stomach, the pancreas, the liver & the small & large intestines get full rest in fasting. Just as after sleep & rest we feel more strong, fresh & energetic, so is the case with internal organs.

The Effects Of Fasting

During a long fast, the body works on decomposing and burning those cells and tissues which are diseased, damaged, aged or dead. The creation of new and healthy cells is speeded up by the amino acids released from the diseased cells. The capacity of the eliminative organs, that is, lungs, liver, kidneys and the skin is greatly increased as they are relieved of the usual burden of digesting food and eliminating the resultant wastes. It works as preventive and healing measures, enables safe weight loss, reduces high blood pressure, lessens the fat content of the blood (cholesterol), adjusts the sugar level of the blood and improves the condition of stomach and intestinal passage. After three days of fasting you will begin to see its benefits such as increased physical stamina, mental energy, enhanced concentration and improvement in some senses. Fasting is beneficial physically, mentally & spiritually.

During A Fast

During fasts you need to maintain self-control especially for the first day as body craves for food that it is used to. Do not give in. Whenever you feel hungry drink lukewarm water slowly in small sips. Water cleanses the entire system & washes away the impurities which might have accumulated in the system from time to time. It is better to take an enema of lukewarm water after the normal motion to cleanse the bowels thoroughly. Bathe two to three times to relax your muscles and clear your skin. Be relaxed and take in as much fresh air as possible. You may experience temporary side effects like headaches, bad breath or vomiting. Keep busy and enhance your spiritual knowledge by reading and meditating. Do postures and breathing exercises. Keep your body warm as fasting slows down blood circulation.

Breaking A Fast

The most difficult part of fast is breaking it sensibly. In Yoga, breaking a fast is a gradual process so that your body gets reaccustomed to ingesting food and your normal diet. It should always be broken with a glass of fruit juice or with pulpy fruits which are easily digestible. The natural tendency is to crave for extra food once the fast is broken which is very unhealthy. In fact it could lead to damage of the digestive system. To avoid overeating, break your fast in the evening and do not eat again till you have digested whatever you had eaten. Also remember to chew your food thoroughly, since the digestive system has been at rest, to make the process of digestion easier.

Yogic Way Of Fast

If you are planning to keep fast for three days, you require total nine days to finish. It means actual fast will be for three days but you require the same number of days to prepare & to break it. Following is the step by step programme for three days fast (total nine days).

Preparation

Day 1 & Day 2 Boiled vegetables, buttermilk, curd

Day 3: lemon water + honey

Do not forget to drink water, especially whenever you feel hungry.

Actual Fast

Day 4, 5 & 6

Drink plain water for 3 days.

If one feels weak one can take 4-5 glasses of lemon water and honey and water for 3 days.

Breaking The Fast

Day 7: Drink juice diluted with water 50:50 ratios till afternoon, after that take pure juice

Day 8: Vegetable soup till afternoon, after that take boiled vegetables

Day 9: Eat wheat halwa. (Roast wheat flour without adding ghee in the flour. Then put water and gur (jaggery) in it). Once the halwa is ready put some pure ghee in it. Keep it in thin consistency). Evening: Dalia (broken wheat).

In between take lots of lukewarm water.

Day 10: you should resume to your normal diet. Normal diet is – chapatti, vegetables, fruit, salad, curd, dalia. Try to maintain a balanced diet that gives you adequate nutrition. Avoid heavy spices, tea and coffee. Just remember not to overeat or mix too much food types on your first day of food. Do everything slowly but surely.

Caution

Long fasts are better undertaken under the advice of an expert Naturopath. You can fast for 1-3 days without the guidance of an expert. Do not fast if you are ill or anemic. If you are on medication or suffer from any chronic ailment, it is advisable to consult your doctor before starting. Do not fast if you are pregnant. If you have any doubts whether to fast or not, ask your doctor for advice.

If you feel inspired by this article, feel free to publish it in your Newsletter or on your Website. Our humble request is to please include the Resource as follows: Courtesy: Dr. Rita Khanna’s Yogashaastra Studio. A popular studio that helps you find natural solutions for complete health and detoxification.

Mobile: 09849772485 Ph:-040-65173344 Email: ritukhanna57@hotmail.com

Dr. Rita Khanna

Dr. Rita Khanna is a well-known name in the field of Yoga and Naturopathy. She was initiated into his discipline over two decades ago by world famous Swami Adyatmananda of Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh.

She believes firmly that Yoga is a scientific process, which helps us to lead a healthy and disease-free life. She is also actively involved in practicing alternative medicines like Naturopathy. Over the years, she has been successfully practicing these therapies and providing succour to several chronic and terminally ill patients.

At present, Dr. Rita Khanna is teaching Yoga in Secunderabad. She has been treating and curing various diseases and disorders through Yoga, Diet and Naturopathy and has been achieving tremendous satisfaction in disseminating this virtue.

Due to the repeated success of our Yoga teacher training graduates, Aura Wellness Center has developed a Yoga certification program, which teaches you everything you need to know about how to safely instruct classes, constantly improve your skills, and run a successful teaching practice.